Identification device for motor vehicles and operators



July 12, 1938.

'V. S. POWELL IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND OPERATORS Filed April 6, 1937 MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERSHIP IDENTIFICATION /5 KEEP THIS PINNED IN CARATALLTIMES owusn. max: orcne.

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A tlomep Patented July 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFEQE IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VE- HICLES AND OPERATORS 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally new and novel simple and economical identification card or voucher of an especially prepared character calculated to render it aptly fitted and 5- feasible tofacilitate identification of the holder thereof, whereby to concurrently fulfill the requirements of said holder or owner, as well as the authorities and to at the same time incur little or no expense to either.

I have repeatedly discovered the need for the provision of some simplified, readily available device to be employed as proof of personal identification, especially in connection with the driving and ownership of motor vehicles, particularly automobiles. Dep-lorable conditions arising from countless and ever-increasing accidents have inspired the desire to aidbboth car owners and ofiicers of the law in taking care of one phase of the work. In this connection it is to be remembered that when one is called upon to report a collision or an accident, the stress and strain frequently promotes confusion to the extent that it is difficult to remember license numbers and to provide an ofiicer of the law with requisite information to obtain a detailed account of the unfortunate happenings.

In reducing to practice the principles of my preferred embodiment, I have evolved and produced an ingenious folder or card susceptible of carrying insurance company advertising media, and consolidated authentic identification means, the device being so made as to utilize pins whereby it may be constantly and conveniently pinned to the upholstery for readiness of use, the pins being so made as to function as novel retention clasps in a manner to be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying illustrative drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like elements throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device in the form used disclosing certain of the essential details, constructed in accordance with my ideas.

Figure 2 is a View based on Figure 1 showing the foldable card spread to open position and showing the turnable button fasteners swung to releasing positions.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 1.

As before implied, the body portion of the structure is preferably in the nature of a cardboard folder, the same being denoted as a unit by the numeral 6. It is actually constructed from a rectangular blank of cardboard which is in effect a certificate, as illustrated in Figure 2,

the carboard being sufficiently heavy to adapt the device for every day or constant use'in an automobile or the like. As seen from the inside in Figure 2, the top section is the certificate of identification and is denoted by the numeral 5. The lower section is the proof of identity printed along predetermined lines. The lastnamed area or section is distinguished by the numeral 5. It is preferably better, however, to visualize the device as comprising a folder, as illustrated in Figure 1, having a front panel 7 cooperating with a companion rear panel 8, the latter panel being of an area greater than the panel '5. The two panels fold into superposed relation on the hinge or fold line 9. The upper end of the back or inner panel 8 constitutes an extension denoted by the numeral l0 and this is in effect an adapter element or flap for the unique pins H. The visible side of this feature, however, preferably has printed thereon the title Motor vehicle ownership identification. This is to enable the nature of the device to be determined by those concerned, at a glance. The outer face of the panel I may, if desired, carry notification as to the name of the company holding the insurance on the particular vehicle using this identification device.

There are two of the pins H, and the pin is bent intermediate its ends to form a sort of a hinge, as indicated at E2. or shank portion is denoted by the numeral l3, and this is sufficiently long to enable it to be fastened in the upholstery on the car (not shown). The hinge i2 constitutes a rocker element and is mounted for oscillation in apertures punched in the title flap Hi. The short depending ends ii: are formed into heads l5, these being here shown as of general triangular form. The heads constitute retention elements or latches, and hence serve to figuratively lock the panel 7 closed, that is, in the position seen in Figure 1. Consequently, the device does not take up any great room and moreover the valuable information on the areas 5 and 6 is protected against easy destruction from weather or wear and tear.

The information on the inside will of course vary. For example, as seen on the area of section 5, the letter A refers to certain blank forms giving the name and address, age, and so forth, of the holder of the identification card. The section 6 is charted to permit finger printing. Then, as indicated at It, a space is provided for the genuine signature of the holder or owner of the card.

The main pointed Cir As before stated, this information will vary, depending on the local laws or the advisability recommended by insurance companies, police authorities, and others skilled in this line of endeavor.

It is respectfully submitted that the device under consideration is an innovation in! this particular line of endeavor. It is self sufficient to give all of the necessary data required, whether the accident be of a casual nature or one involv ing a fatality. At all times the owner of the car, who would find it advisable to keep the device in the car permanently, can be definitely identified. The device is therefore a valuable advertising medium for insurance companies and the like and is concurrently advantageous to the user or the holder thereof and the authorities. It is not necessary, however, to give all of the commercial features and advantages here.

Ordinarily speaking, the two swingable headed pins H will suffice for satisfactory attaching and retention purposes. However, as an added feature, and to render more uniform the reliable maintenance of the card when suspended on the upholstery, a third pin seems advisable. By referring to Figures 2 and 3, it will therefore be seen that the numeral l6 designates this supplementary pin. Like the first-named pins H, the shank portion thereof is disposed on the attaching side of the article. In this instance the triangular head I! is secured against movement by a staple l8, as illustrated to advantage in Figure 2. Hence, this three-point suspension arrangement secures reliable maintenance of the card for ready use in a self evident manner.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A motor vehicle ownership and personal identification article of the class described comprising a cardboard certificate provided with predetermined printed indicia to facilitate positive identification of the owner thereof, said certificate being folded upon itself to provide an attaching panel and a cover panel, one end of the cover panel terminating in spaced relation with respect to the corresponding end of said attaching panel, the attaching panel being provided adjacent the free swingable end of the cover panel with apertures, a pair of retention pins, each pin being bent intermediate its ends with the bend functioning as a journal portion, the journal portion being pivotally mounted in an adjacent aperture, one end portion of the pin being pointed and disposed in parallelism with the rear face of the attaching panel to facilitate attachment to upholstery or an equivalent supporting surface, the opposite outer end of said pin being bent into parallelism with the outer face of the cover panel and formed into a clasp to releasably engage the adjacent edge portion of said cover panel.

2. An identification device for motor vehicles and owners comprising a printed blank form in the nature of a substantially rigid but bendable card, said card being of general rectangular form and folded between its ends into superposed companion panels, one of said panels constituting an attaching and supporting member and the other a cover panel therefor, to protect the printed matter on the coacting faces of the respective panels, the attaching panel being of an area greater than said cover panel with one end portion thereof projecting beyond the adjacent end portion of the cover panel to provide an adapter flap, a pair of pointed straight pins disposed externally and parallel to the attachable side of said attaching panel, said pins being disposed on opposite sides of median transverse dimension of the card as a unit and at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of said card, said pins being hingedly mounted on said adapter flap and the hinged end portions thereof being provided with laterally bent clips swingably and releasably engageable with the adjacent free end portion of the cover panel to maintain the cover panel closed.

3. An identification device for motor vehicles and owners comprising a printed blank form in the nature of a substantially rigid but bendable card, said card being of general rectangular form and folded between its ends into superposed companion panels, one of said panels constituting an attaching and supporting member and the other a cover panel therefor, to protect the printed matter on the coacting faces of the respective panels, the attaching panel being of an area greater than said cover panel with one end portion thereof projecting beyond the adjacent end portion of the cover panel to provide an adapter flap, a pair of pointed straight pins disposed externally and parallel to the attachable side of said attaching panel, said pins being disposed on opposite sides of the median transverse dimension of the card as a unit and at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of said card, said pins being hingedly mounted on said adapter flap and the hinged end portions thereof being provided with laterally bent clips swingably and releasably engageable with the adjacent free end portion of the cover panel to maintain the cover panel closed, and a third pin disposed externally and parallel to the attaching side of said attaching panel, said third pin being rigidly secured to the attaching panel at a point between the first named hinging and attaching pins, whereby to provide a three-point suspension and retention action for the card as a whole.

VIRGIL S. POWELL. 

